Bright Morning Star
Ever watched the sky right before sunrise? It’s not quite day, but it’s no longer night either. That faint light—soft, sure, rising—is what the Bible calls the morning star. And it’s how Jesus closes out all of Scripture: “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16, ESV). Out of all the powerful names He could’ve chosen for the finale, He chose this one—the gentle one. The hopeful one. The beginning of something new.
For the past seven weeks, we’ve journeyed through Revelation, uncovering the names of Jesus like pieces of a grand mosaic. We met Him as the First and the Last, the one who bookends all of time. Then we saw Him as the Faithful and True Witness, who sees what’s hidden and speaks only the truth. He was the Lion and the Lamb, blending power with sacrifice. We trusted Him as our Shepherd and Savior, leading and loving us through every valley. In Week 5, we rejoiced in Christ the Victor—the warrior King who defeats evil. And just last week, we honored Him as the Alpha and the Omega, the eternal thread woven through all creation. But now we come to this: the Bright Morning Star—a name for tired hearts longing for light.
This final name might be the most intimate of all. The morning star doesn’t blaze like the sun or roar like thunder. It shows up while the world is still quiet, still uncertain. It’s the whisper before the shout. The light that tells you the night is ending, even if the sun hasn’t risen yet. When Jesus calls Himself the Bright Morning Star, He’s saying, “I’m already here. Even before everything’s fully made right, you can count on Me.”
That’s the hope we need when things still feel unfinished. Maybe you’re still waiting for healing. Still praying for direction. Still holding on through grief. The bright morning star doesn’t erase the night, but it assures you that the day is coming. Jesus offers Himself as that promise. Not just for eternity, but for this moment—today, tomorrow, every dark hour in between.
So, as we wrap up this series, don’t leave these names behind. Let The First and the Last remind you that your story has purpose. Let The Lion and the Lamb shape your strength with humility. And most of all, let The Bright Morning Star awaken new hope in you. He is not just the end of Revelation—He’s the start of every new day.
When we began this series, we said this: In the book of Revelation, Jesus doesn’t appear with just one title, but many, each one rich in meaning and filled with power. He says, “I am the First and the Last, the Living One” (Revelation 1:17-18). He is “the Son of God” whose eyes are like flames (2:18), and “the Faithful and True Witness” whose words never fail (3:14). He is our strength—“the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (5:5), and our sacrifice—“the Lamb” who was slain and yet stands victorious (5:6). He is the Shepherd who gently “guides them to springs of the waters of life” (7:17), and the conquering King, “the Word of God” (19:13), crowned as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16). And as Revelation draws to its close, He declares with power and promise: “I am the Alpha and the Omega… the bright morning star” (22:13, 16), reminding us that no matter how dark the night, His light is already rising.
So if you’ve walked with us through this series, thank you. And if you’re just joining in, you’re right on time. Because no matter where you are in the story, the power in His name is still unfolding in your life. And before your next sunrise, try saying it aloud: “Jesus, be my Bright Morning Star.” He’s already shining, and a new day is closer than you think.